Natalie,

Decades back I had a great interest in anthropology and sociology of
religion, which
benefitted me in understanding the social working of religion.

How do anthropologists better the lives of those whom they study? I was once
told
that anthopology was introduced by the British colonialists to study the
minds and
ways of the natives so that they can be better controlled and manipulated
(in a sort
of behaviorist manner).

Sadly many of the anthopologists I have met have not impressed me. They look
at
us simply as data or specimen for a good thesis or book, and earn their pay
package.

There was one of them attached to the National University of Singapore, who
after
receiving a complete CD of my works, simply said goodbye to me without even
a
chance for some discussion. I think he was doing some field work in Myanmar.

Do anthopologists still look at their subject from a third-person viewpoint
like in the
colonial days?

Please take my comments as from someone who passionately believes education
is
e-ducere, bringing the good out of people.

With metta,

Piya

On Jan 31, 2008 12:22 AM, natalie_indeed <natalie_indeed@...> wrote:

> Thank you so much Nina! Everything was clarified by your comments,
> except for a few lingering questions that I hope you don't mind if I ask:
>
> If I were to translate "taking" as a present participle in this
> sentence instead of a gerund, would "maala.m haranta.m" have been correct?
>
> Also, I still don't really understand why the feminine singular
> nominative was used (saalaa) rather than the singular accusative
> [saala.m], which is what I would expect when going to a place.
>
> Here's the sentence again: "maala.m aadaaya yena saalaa ten'
> upasa.mkamimsu."
>
> I realize now that yena and tena are used quite differently in Pali
> than in Sanskrit! Poo.
>
> Piya, yes, I'm glad that Pali study is available to those who want to
> study the Dhamma. I myself am a PhD student in anthropology/religious
> studies who studies Buddhism in the U.S., particularly among Sri
> Lankan Americans. I actually have to pass a Pali language competency
> exam, so I'm pretty motivated to understand the minutia of Pali
> grammar, even if I stink at it!
>
> Thank you again, and wishing you happiness,
> Natalie
>
>
>



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